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Salie's
bid threatens to wreck SSS alliance
The
powerful Santiago-Sanchez-Sarmiento political
machine ran into potentially-disastrous
roadblocks last week, as former Gov. Rosalie
Alberto-Estacio filed her independent candidady
for vice governor and money trouble hounded
alliance members.
Estacio's
ill-advised move, which critics say was her way
of getting at the Santiago handlers for removing
her as campaign manager due to certain
irregularities, threatens to throw a wedge
between vice gubernatorial bet Cesar Sarmiento
and former NTC Commissioner Santiago, who is
closely identified with Virac Mayor Jose U.
Alberto II.
The
former governor's candidacy spoiled what could
have been an easy ride to victory in the May 14
polls for Sarmiento, whose opponents are
incumbent Vice Gov. Alfred M. Aquino (Lakas-NUCD)and
also-ran Justo D. Evangelista.
As
a consequence, former Gov. Vicente M. Alberto (NPC),
who now handles the triumvirate's campaign,
filed his candidady for the same position
ostensibly to nullify the votes for his wayward
niece. With the foreseen splitting of Virac's
28,000 votes among three candidates, Aquino is
expected to coast to a third term as presiding
officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan despite
having been tarnished with blatant partisanship
and disregard for public welfare of the
provincial legislative body under his command.
Former
Gov. Severo C. Alcantara also threw his hat into
the fray, filing his papers for another run at
the governorship allegedly after Gov. Hector S.
Sanchez failed to back his pledge to contribute
an initial P5-million into the alliance’s
campaign kitty. The 74-year old pol is bucking
handicaps of advanced age and questionable
stamina and will count on his being a native of
the capital town, Alcantara being the only
aspirant from Virac.
There
are unconfirmed reports that Estacio has been
offered P1-million to withdraw from the race and
that she has talked with Sanchez archrival Rep.
Leandro B. Verceles, Jr.
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